Is busking becoming a nuisance?

Busking laws have been relaxed in Dorset meaning anyone and everyone can now busk in the Dorset cities if they want to. However, is the busking slowly becoming a nuisance or is it something that everyone can enjoy?

Dorset is the place to be for public entertainment. Nowadays, busking is becoming a lot harder with councils being strict on who gets to interest the people in their cities. However, in Dorset, busking has now become an encouragement. With a suitable code of conduct to follow, the towns are now becoming full of people willing to entertain and earn money.

License laws were lifted around 2012 with a clear code, giving people the freedom to busk and show their talent to their cities.

In Bournemouth, it’s not just the sandy beaches that people enjoy. A tourist said: “I like that there is something to watch round every corner. The city is very entertaining.”

Student Ciara Mockett said:

I enjoy the town being loud. It means it’s never boring.”

Many well-known performers have been known to come to the city to busk.

However, the constant sound of music may be classed as noise pollution. If more and more people are filling the cities in Dorset, surely not everyone can be enjoying it? Bournemouth local Janette Brown said: “I just want to go into town and do my shopping without having to hear people playing their loud instruments for money.”

But people don’t just busk for money. They may do it for a charity or to help out their local communities. A spokesperson from Dorchester Town Council said: “Buskers can choose to apply for a voluntary permit, costing ten pounds a year, which helps out the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.”

Written by: Laura Salvada-Boussi

BAMMJ student at Bournemouth University. Interested in Entertainment and International News.